Building construction



Oct. 20, 1964 J. 5. WHEELER BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Mardh 20, 1959 3Sheets-Sheet 1 f a5 a4 IN VEN TOR.

M (Dc/4*;

ATTORNEYS James E. Whee/er J. E. WHEELER BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Oct. 20,1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. James 5 Wheeler Filed March 20, 1959ATTORNEYS Oct. 20, 1964 J. E. WHEELER BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 20, 1959 INVENTOR. lames E. Wheeler B M GilQ;

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,153,303 BUILDING CGNSTRUCTION James E.Wheeler, 2256 Kent Blvd. NE, Grand Rapids, Mich. Filed Mar. 20, 1959,Ser. No. 800,67 3 Claims. (Cl. 50-49) This invention relates to buildingconstruction in general and more particularly to circular buildings anda novel roof construction therefor.

Buildings having open, expansive and unobstructed floor areas are inconsiderable demand. Such buildings are most needed for public servicefacilities and are therefore also required to be fireproof. In recentyears most buildings of the type mentioned have been built of steel andreinforced concrete.

Concrete or other cementitious material used in building construction islargely provided as preformed members. It is common to have slabs andjoist formed of concrete material. The concrete building materialsusually also include reinforcing rods and wire mesh. Unfortunately, theuse of such materials is quite expensive. Although the material itselfis relatively inexpensive there is considerable cost involved intransporting concrete forms to the building site, setting them up,stripping them off, and moving them to storage or the next buildingsite. If preformed concrete members are used the problem is one oftransporting and erecting the precast members rather than the formsthemselves.

Furthermore, although the present concrete building materials aredesirable because of their fireproof nature, there are limitations totheir use for wide unsupported overhead spans. Concrete, even thoughreinforced, is Weak in tension and such tensile forces are imposedacross Wide spans by both dead and live loads.

In relatively recent years, prestressed concrete building materials havecome into use. Such materials are known as having either pretensioned orposttensioned steel inserts or bands. In pretensioned concrete membersthe reinforcement is placed in tension within the concrete mold formbefore the concrete is poured. When the tensioning force is removed theconcrete is placed in compression and is capable of carrying greaterloads or spanning greater distances than theretofore. Posttensioningrequires that a subsequent tensioning force be imposed and held on thereinforcement within or about a concrete member to achieve the sametensile balancing compressive force.

These innovations have only served to increase the size of the preformedconcrete member which may be formed and to magnify the problems and costof shipping the preformed member.

In a previous patent application Serial No. 769,790 filed October 27,1958 and titled Building Construction, in the name of this inventor, anew and novel form of building construction was disclosed whereby all ofthe advantages of prestres'sed concrete construction could be obtainedwithout the disadvantages mentioned. Such construction comprises on thejob prestressing of high tensile members used to provide a framework forthe ob ject being formed and the covering of such members, while intension, with an airborne and lightweight concrete aggregate. g

It is an object of this invention to disclose further features ofimprovement in job site prestressed concrete construction.

Among the features of improvement is the use of singular cable or hightensile rod construction to form the tensile load bearing members.

Also among the features of improvement, particularly in circular roofconstruction, is the use of an annular compression ring formed ofpolygonal segments joined by connectors. The connectors are also formedto reice ceive the tensionable cable or rod members and, further, toprovide tie down means used in applying the pretensioning force to suchcables or rods.

Further among the features of improvement disclosed by this invention isthe use of peripheral wall forming members for applying thepretensioning forces required.

Still further among the features of improvement disclosed by thisinvention is the use of vice grips within the inner and outer circularroof forming rings and having one of the rings formed of laminated steelbands.

These and other features of improvement will be more apparent in theillustration and description of one particularly suitable form ofbuilding construction within which the teachings of this invention arebest applied.

The drawings disclose a circular building including the differentfeatures of this invention and useable as an aircraft hangar. Certainfeatures of this inventors copending application Serial No. 691,404,filed October 21, 1957 and titled Aircraft Hangar, now Patent No.2,964,144, as well as Serial No. 763,974, filed September 29, 1958 andtitled Circular Aircraft Hangar and Method of Construction Thereof, nowPatent No. 3,075,654, are also incidentally disclosed.

The circular aircraft hangar comprises a central column having acircular roof structure supported thereon. The roof structure is formedby inner and outer annular rings with tensionable members disposedradially therebetween. The inner ring is formed of contiguous andconcentrically disposed steel bands. The outer ring is an assemble ofcylindrical members arranged to form a polygonal shape and havingprecast connectors joining the adjacent ends together. The tensionablemembers are singular cables or rods of high tensile strength which areengaged by vice grips or rod retaining means to the inner and outerrings.

In the construction of the circular aircraft hangar the aforementionedroof framework is elevated on the central column to dispose the outerannular ring at substantially the desired roof height. Thereafterperipheral wall forming members for the building are erected and theouter ring is engaged to such members. Following the addition ofsuitable reinforcement across and between the tensionable members, theinner roof forming ring is elevated further on the central column, andis secured thereto, to place the tensionable members in tension.Thereafter concrete or other cementitious material is applied to theroof framework as an air-borne aggregate. Subsequently the outer annularring is disengaged from the wall forming members, which have served astie downs, and the tension force in the tensionable members becomes acompressive force within the completed roof structure.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a circular building, for aircraft hangaruse, made in accord with the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional side view through the aircrafthangar shown by FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view through the building roofsupporting column and shows the connection of the tensionable roofforming members therewith.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial side cross sectional view of the roofstructure, near the centercolumn, as shown by FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a part of the outer roof formingcompression ring of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the compression ring part shown by FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view through the outer roofforming compression ring and shows the connection with the wall formingmembers to provide the pretensi'oning force in the disclosed buildingconstruction.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 but is simplified and is principally to showthe relation of the compression ring m #19 to the wall forming membersafter the tensioning force is relieved.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view through the peripheral wallof the disclosed building.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a section of the proposed.building framework.

The circular building 10 disclosed, includes a central column 20 whichsupports a conical roof structure 33. A peripheral wall t encloses thespace under the roof 30. An opening 69 may be provided within the wall50 and may be sufficiently large (one-fifth of the wall perimeter) toenable ease of ingress and egress for large aircraft or the like. Theopening 60 may be closed by a door 7t) provided in accord with theteachings of my copending application Serial No. 691,404, filed October21, 1957 and titled Aircraft Hanger, now Patent No. 2,964,- 144; Such adoor arrangement is shown in phantom outline in FIG. 2.

The central column 2% is embedded within or secured to a centralfoundation 11'. In the present instance a flange 12 at the base of thecolumn is secured to the foundation 11 by tie bolts 13 embedded therein.After the roof framework has been erected as will be described, theexterior wall 50 is erected upon an annular foundation 14 arrangedconcentrically of the central foundation 11. The foundation 14 serves tosupport the non-load bearing wall 53 and serves as part of a turntablepit 15. In the outfitting of the building as an aircraft hanger, anannular turntable member 16 is disposed within the recess area in accordwith the teachings of my copending application Serial No. 763,974, filedSeptember 29, 1958 and titled Circular Aircraft Hanger. A concrete orother floor 17 covers the remainder of the enclosed area.

FIG. 2 shows the use of a worktable 18 and an overhead canopy 19 aboutthe central column 20 in the completed building. The overhead canopy 19may be used to provide better lighting for the Work area and may includea fabric or other enclosing curtain wall to hold heat within the workarea.

Returning now to the description of the building construction itself:

After the central column 20 is erected, the framework for the roofstructure is formed about the base of the column. The roof framework,designated 30 in FIG. 3, includes an inner annular ring 31, sleevedabout the central column so as to be vertically adjustable, and an outerannular ring 41 in spaced concentric relation thereto. A plurality ofsingular elastic members in the form of cables or rods 32 are disposedin radial and circumferentially spaced relation between the rings 31 and41. The cables or rods 32 are elastic in the conventional sense as thisterm is applied to high tensile wire rope or rods well known to thoseskilled in the art relating to prestressed concrete construction; thatis, they exhibit a restoring force, when elongated by a tensile stressnot exceeding their elastic limit, substantially equal to the tensilestress causing elongation. These cables, or rods, 32 are of high tensilestrength and, as will be shown, are subsequently strained under atensile load which causes the rings 31 and 41 to serve as tensile andcompression rings, respectively.

Theinner tensile ring 31 includes a sleeve portion 33 which is receivedabout the column 20. Disposed in slightly spaced circumferentialrelation about the sleeve 33 are steel bands 34 to provide a laminatedtension load bearing ring. The bands 34 are formed from plate material,rolled to a full circle, butt welded and assembled in the contiguouslaminated relation shown. Upper and lower flange members 35 and 36secure the bands to the sleeve 33, as best shown by FIG. 4'. Radiallydisposed saddle or brace members 37 are Welded to ring36 and serve toanchor the ring to the sleeve 33 for greater strength.

The laminated bands 34 are drilled or otherwise formed at regularlyspaced intervals to receive the inner ends of the cables or bars 32therethrough. Within the space between the sleeve 33 and the bands 34are disposed vice grip cable retaining members or special threaded rodreceiving nut members 38. A tapered washer 38 may be used to align theretainer members 33 in a desired angular disposition. If required, thesleeve 33 may be formed to include holes 33 directly behind theretainers 33 to facilitate any adjustment thereof during installation.Bolt fasteners 39 serve to secure the inner ring assembly 31 to thecolumn 3% at. its subsequent elevated position thereon.

The outer or compression ring 41 is formed by a plurality of relativelyshort length cylindrical members 42, as for example lengths of ironpipe. The members 42 are thus cordal members arranged in tandem to forma polygon and adjacent ends thereof are secured together by preformedconnectors 43. The connectors 43 are formed having outwardly divergentside faces and integrally formed collars 44 thereon, over which themembers 42 are telescoped and to which they may be welded or riveted.The center section of the connectors 43 are formed to receive vice gripanchors or threaded nut members 45 which retain and secure the outerends of the tensionable cables or rods 32 thereto.

The connectors 43 are also formed to include ears or depending tabs 46to which a peripheral plate or band 47 may be secured. Such membersubsequently serves as a circular facia about the periphery of the roofstructure.

Aclevis 48 is formed on the underside of each of the connectors 43 and,as will be shown, is used in tying down the outer ring 41 while theinner ring 31 is raised to tension the cables or rods 32.

After the assembly of the inner and outer roof forming rings3ll and 41,with the cables or rods 32 therebetween, and having the cables or rodstuned for uniformity, the unit is elevated on the central column 20. Theweight of the outer ring 41 and the cables 32, of themselves, will causethe assembly to assume a conical shape and will place the cables or rods32 under a moderate dead load bearing tension.

The assembly of the rings 31 and 41, with the cables or rods, 32, iselevated on the column 20 until the outer ring 41 is at the desiredheight of the outer peripheral wall 50.

The peripheral wall 50, for the disclosed building, is essentially acurtain wall since it is not required to bear the load of the roof 30.The wall 50 is formed with the use of circumferentially spaced andvertically disposed members 51 which initially serve another purpose.

The members 51, subsequently used in forming the peripheral wall 50, areof relatively thin walled (about 7 .bar or strap iron stock and of hightensile strength. They are secured to anchors 52 which are in turnsecured by bolt fasteners 53 to the foundation 14, at spaced intervalsthereon. The upper ends of the wall forming members 51 are receivedwithin the clevis 48 of the connectors 43, and are engaged thereto by aremovable taper pin 49.

Reinforcing rods 54 and 55 are provided between and across thetensionable cable or bar members 32, as shown by FIG. 10. The annularreinforcement members 54 are arranged in concentric relation, withdecreased radial spacing towards the outer periphery of the roofframework. The reinforcing members 55 extend between adjacent of thetensionable cables or rods ,32 and are tied to the cables andreinforcement members 54 Where they intersect. The radially disposedreinforcing rods 55 are increased in number near the tensile ringassembly 31 and act as shear bars for greater strength in supporting theweight of the conical roof 30.

Following the addition of the reinforcement of the roof assembly, andbeing assured that the compression ring 41 is tied down by the members51, the inner ring 31 is elevated to place the cables or bars 32 under apredetermined tensile force.

In tensioning the bars or cables 32, the wall studs 51 are also placedin tension. While the wall studs are in tension, the wall 50 is formedby having reinforcing members 56 and 57 arranged vertically andhorizontally therebetween. A wire mesh 59 is used between the wall studs51 and behind the reinforcing rods. Such wire mesh is shown by FIG. 9,but is not shown in FIG. 10. Thereafter the wall studs, reinforcingmembers, and the wire mesh are covered with a lightweight air-bornecementitious aggregate to a heighth just below the clevis 48 of thecompression ring assembly 41. The wire mesh serves as a binder to holdthe Wall providing concrete aggregate in place and, as disposed betweenadjacent wall studs, provides a form of wall panel construction.

While the ring connecting cables or rods 32 are strained in tension, andpreferably after the wall 50 is provided, the framework 30' is coveredwith a lightweight airborne cementitious aggregate 40. After the roofcovering material 40 has set, the outer ring 41 is released from the tiedown wall forming studs 51 by removing the taper pins 49. The release ofthe tension force in the cables or rods 32 is thereby transferred into acompressive force within the roof covering cementitious material. Such aforce adequately compensates for the otherwise tensile weakness of theroof covering material.

When the taper pins 49 are withdrawn from the clevis 48, the tension inthe Wall studs 51 is also relieved. Accordingly, the outerwall 50 of thebuilding is placed in vertical compression.

Thereafter, the clevis joints 48 are reengaged to the wall studs 51 andthe space between the upper limit of the wall 50, as first formed, andthe roof 30 is filled in. This is done to stabilize the roof structureagainst uneven Wind and snow loads. The outer wall 50 serves only as astabilizing curtain wall and does not serve as a true roof supportingWall structure.

In the course of construction, if desired, large wall openings such as60 may be readily provided within the wall 50. This is accomplishedsimply by eliminating the reinforcment and concrete covering at thedesired location and by subsequently removing the tie down studs 51 fromsuch wall area. Openings as large as one-fifth of the perimeter of thebuilding may easily be provided. Furthermore, such openings may beprovided at any desired location and two such large openings may even beprovided on opposite sides of the building.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described, itwill be understood that other modifications and improvements may be madethereto. Such of these modifications and improvements as incorporate theprinciples of this invention are to be considered as included in thehereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their languageexpressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. A form of building roof construction comprising: a central support,an inner annular ring surrounding said support, said inner annular ringbeing of a size relative to said central support to enable verticalmovement thereof on said support, an outer annular ring spacedconcentrically from said inner ring and including a plurality of chordalmembers disposed in tandem, a plurality of radially disposed strainedelastic members anchored between said inner and outer rings, said outerannular ring including also connectors provided between adjacentlydisposed ends of said chordal members, said connectors having outwardlydivergent side faces, the ends of said chordal members abutting saidside faces and secured thereto, said connectors having means foranchoring the outer ends of said elastic members and depending tabs forproviding tie-down restraint of said outer ring, and a cementitiouscovering about said elastic members and between said inner and outerrings, said covering being compressed radially between said inner andouter rings by the restoring force of said strained elastic members,substantially the entire dead-load weight of said roof, including saidrings, said elastic members and said covering being supported by saidcentral support.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 in which said elastic members extendwithin said inner annular member and said connecting means and includingfurther, enlarged anchor means engaging opposite ends of each of saidelastic members and positioned within said inner annular member andwithin said connector means, respectively.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 including vertically disposedwall-forming members arranged concentrically about said central columnand under said connectors and releasable means for connecting thedepending tabs on said connectors to said wall-forming members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS375,999 Jackson Jan. 3, 1888 865,490 Graham Sept. 10, 1907 1,390,073Allen Sept. 6, 1921 1,402,077 Lanchester Ian. 3, 1922 1,559,837 AllenNov. 3, 1925 1,825,800 Houseman Oct. 6, 1931 2,202,850 Guignon Q June 4,1940 2,411,651 Darby Nov. 26, 1946 2,670,818 Hacker Mar. 2, 19542,671,253 Hensley Mar. 9, 1954 2,812,574 Wiggins Nov. 12, 1957 FOREIGNPATENTS 203,565 Australia Oct. 20, 1955 205,211 Austria Sept. 10, 1959218,858 Australia Oct. 7, 1958 235,247 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1945 428,341Great Britain May 10, 1935 811,716 France Jan. 23, 1937 1,151,949 FranceAug. 26, 1957 OTHER REFERENCES Architectural Record, September 1956, pp.221-216. Architectural Record, August 1959, pp. 177-182.

1. A FORM OF BUILDING ROOF CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING: A CENTRAL SUPPORT,AN INNER ANNULAR RING SURROUNDING SAID SUPPORT, SAID INNER ANNULAR RINGBEING OF A SIZE RELATIVE TO SAID CENTRAL SUPPORT TO ENABLE VERTICALMOVEMENT THEREOF ON SAID SUPPORT, AN OUTER ANNULAR RING SPACEDCONCENTRICALLY FROM SAID INNER RING AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CHORDALMEMBERS DISPOSED IN TANDEM, A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY DISPOSED STRAINEDELASTIC MEMBERS ANCHORED BETWEEN SAID INNER AND OUTER RINGS, SAID OUTERANNULAR RING INCLUDING ALSO CONNECTORS PROVIDED BETWEEN ADJACENTLYDISPOSED ENDS OF SAID CHORDAL MEMBERS, SAID CONNECTORS HAVING OUTWARDLYDIVERGENT SIDE FACES, THE ENDS OF SAID CHORDAL MEMBERS ABUTTING SAIDSIDE FACES AND SECURED THERETO, SAID CONNECTORS HAVING MEANS FORANCHORING THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID ELASTIC MEMBERS AND DEPENDING TABS FORPROVIDING TIE-DOWN RESTRAINT OF SAID OUTER RING, AND A CEMENTITIOUSCOVERING ABOUT SAID ELASTIC MEMBERS AND BETWEEN SAID INNER AND OUTERRINGS, SAID COVERING BEING COMPRESSED RADIALLY BETWEEN SAID INNER ANDOUTER RINGS BY THE RESTORING FORCE OF SAID STRAINED ELASTIC MEMBERS,SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE DEAD-LOAD WEIGHT OF SAID ROOF, INCLUDING SAIDRINGS, SAID ELASTIC MEMBERS AND SAID COVERING BEING SUPPORTED BY SAIDCENTRAL SUPPORT.